Premier Ewart Brown yesterday failed again to reveal the methodology behind Government's decision to axe its Royal Gazette deals telling this newspaper: "Learn to live with that."

For the past two days, The Royal Gazette has been trying to find out exactly how Cabinet came to the conclusion that it is "not cost effective or penetrative enough to rely heavily on print advertising in an electronically advanced community".

Yesterday, the Premier told our reporter at a press conference:"This is the second day in a row that I have been asked the same question that must have come from your editors."You can go back and tell them that our decision was based on prudent fiscal judgement and they should ... learn to live ... with that.

"We later put the question to his Press Secretary Glenn Jones, who referred us to a Cabinet statement from Tuesday and comments on the subject from Dr.Brown on Wednesday and yesterday.

Neither that Cabinet statement, nor anything the Premier has said, have answered the question

On Tuesday night, Government announced it was withdrawing its newspaper subscriptions to The Royal Gazette and cutting back on print advertising as a "cost savings measure".

It said it spent $800,000 on subscriptions and advertising in the print media during the last fiscal year, of which $42,000 went on newspaper subscriptions.

However, the move has led critics to question whether it is the beginning of a drive to muzzle the freedom of the press by draining this newspaper's finances.

Government has stepped up its hostility to the media in recent months, particularly this newspaper, with Works Minister Derrick Burgess vowing to urge young people to rise up and force Royal Gazette sports editor Adrian Robson out of the country because of a comment piece about cricket.

On Wednesday, the Premier championed the electronic media and radio as Government's newly preferred means of communication.

Website Bermuda Network News is owned by Progressive Labour Party Senator Walton Brown, while Hott 107.5, owned by PLP MPGlenn Blakeney and starring PLPSenator Thaao Dill as its morning show presenter, has been publicly praised by the Premier for its pro-PLP bias.

Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards has likened the $42,000 saved by dropping newspaper subscriptions out of a $1 billion Budget to a drop in the bucket.

Mr. Richards has attacked the timing of the announcement, almost immediately after the Budget, and questioned the real motives behind the cancellation.

Royal Gazette circulation manager delMonte Davis yesterday said he would be pleased to review his department's services to Government offices.

Mr. Davis said:"This is an especially opportune time due to technology driven innovation in the newspaper industry. I would be happy to reach out and talk to Government. We are always looking for opportunities to improve customer service.

"Mr. Jones did not reply when we asked if Cabinet was prepared to meet Mr. Davis.

So far, the only publication Cabinet has said it is axing is The Royal Gazette. Since the announcement, we have been asking which other publications specifically would be cancelled and which would be retained. That question has not been answered.

We also asked for clarification over the different spin put on the reason for the cancellation by Home Affairs Minister David Burch who implied he does not want to give money to an organisation he frequently criticises and disparages and Cabinet's official stance that it is a cost savings measure.

We received no response either from Mr. Jones or Sen. Burch's public relations officer.

Further questions surrounding the cost cutting plan which also includes pledges about Government travel and its vehicle fleet, although without releasing any details also went unanswered.

Meanwhile, Rhona Emmerson, president of Bermuda company AAC Saatchi and Saatchi, gave her thoughts on the pros and cons of advertising on the radio and newspaper.

She said the cost of one advert in The Royal Gazette could buy a week's radio but there were advantages to all mediums.She said radio had a more dramatic effect while newspapers could be read at leisure, time and again. Newspaper people also point out a print advert can carry many more words than a 30-second radio advert.

Asked about Government's strategy, she said: "It's an interesting use of alternative markets to deliver a message. It's Government taking control of its message delivery through their own TV channels and other vehicles.

"But time will tell whether the message elsewhere is being absorbed the way they want by not using traditional media newspaper.

"Bermuda Sun editor Tony McWilliam said: "We're watching the situation closely but at this stage I don't think it's helpful for us to get embroiled in a battle that essentially appears to be between The Royal Gazette and the Government."